Men's Soccer Hosts Pivotal Weekend Beginning Friday at 1 pm

Colonials Host Duquesne and St. Bonaventure, Seek First Playoff Berth Since 2004

Nov. 6, 2008

WASHINGTON, DC - The George Washington men's soccer team hosts Duquesne and St. Bonaventure this weekend in conference matches vital to the team's Atlantic 10 Championship chances. The Colonials kick off against the Dukes Friday at 1:00 pm and wrap the regular season against the Bonnies Sunday at 1:00 pm.

Fans can follow live stats via GameTracker (Duquesne / St. Bonaventure), but are encouraged to visit Mount Vernon Field (2100 Foxhall Rd., NW) to cheer on the Colonials in their critical weekend matches.

GW (7-5-3, 3-2-2 A-10) currently sits in a tie for seventh -- with Rhode Island -- in the A-10 standings with 11 points and needs positive results from both its matches and several other league contests this weekend to secure a postseason bid. The top six teams in the conference standings qualify for the A-10 Championship, to be held at Duquesne's Rooney Field Nov. 13-16.

The Colonials boast the nation's 11th-best offense with a 2.13 goals-per-game average, highlighted by junior forward and NCAA Division I goal-scoring leader Andy Stadler's 14 goals. Stadler is tied with Quinnipiac's Graciano Brito with 1.00 goals per game and ranks fourth in the nation with 2.14 points per game on 14 goals and two assists in 14 matches played.

Stadler's 30 points so far in 2008 match the ninth-most in a single-season in program history and he has moved within a point of GW's career Top 10 with 56 points (22g/12a) in 45 matches.

On the defensive side, a young backline -- freshmen Brice Carr, Jake Davis, Mike Burke and junior Nikolay Aleksandrov -- helped veteran goalkeeper Matt Scheer post his fourth shutout of the season in a 3-0 victory at Richmond Saturday. Scheer ranks sixth in the A-10 with a 1.11 goals-against-average, while the Colonials defense has held six of its 15 opponents without a goal this season.

Duquesne (5-8-4, 1-5-1 A-10), which is coached by former GW associate head coach Jake Ouimet, has been eliminated from A-10 Championship contention, but owns a five-match unbeaten streak against the Colonials.

St. Bonaventure (4-6-4, 2-4-1 A-10) would have to sweep both weekend matches and receive a number of favorable results to qualify for the A-10 playoffs.